[I-House Lecture] China’s Populism in the Internet Era

This event now concluded. Report available here.

 

 

  • Lecturer: Ako Tomoko (Associate Professor, Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, University of Tokyo)
  • Date: Tuesday, Feburary 6, 2018, 7:00-8:30 pm
  • Venue: Matsumoto-Kabayama Room, International House of Japan *The venue has changed.
  • Language: Japanese (without English interpretation)
  • Admission: 1,000 yen (Students: 500 yen, IHJ Members: Free) (reservations required)

It is said that populist storms are raging in developed countries as seen in upset votes, such as the UK withdrawing from the EU and Trump being victorious in the US presidential election. In general, China is not classified as a democratic state, and in recent times, it is rarely considered in the populism trend that has developed mainly in the West. However, strong elements of populism appear in Chinese “People’s Democracy,” especially with the rise of the Internet. What are the characteristics of Chinese politics and populism in the Internet era? How should we grasp China ‘s populism in the changing international situation?

Ako Tomoko
Photo: Ako TomokoAssociate Professor in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at the University of Tokyo. Her research interests include empowerment of socially vulnerable people such as migrant workers, HIV/AIDS positives, women, elderly people and children, with a particular focus on China. She has conducted research on new-generation migrant workers, HIV/AIDS victims who contracted the virus through blood selling and transfusion, and building social capital in rural development. Recently she has been involved in research projects on civil society and social media, and has interviewed a wide range of Chinese public intellectuals, human rights lawyers, and journalists. Her recent publications include The Country that Devours Its Poor: A Warning from China’s Divided Society (Shinchosha, 2009; 2014) and she coauthored Empowered Citizens on the Rise: Where is China Going? The Future of a Superpower Series No. 5 (Tokyo University Press, 2016).

Report

An English version of this lecture summary is available at the ALFP e-magazine.